Straightening up and cleaning out the studio...

Going through my art supplies, permanent markers specifically and checking for dried/worn out ones.  I saved out one can of watercolor markers for miscellaneous and gave the rest to the girls. This is what's left:

Well, that looks like quite a bit doesn't it? This is about a 3 months supply if I'm careful AND stingy. Permanent markers are great, I love Sharpie pens but they don't last long so there are a couple of other brands I buy IF I can find them. Fooey is my favorite but they are pretty hard to find in my neck of the woods, which is a shame as they can last for over year with heavy use. I'll wear the tip out before I run out of ink. Defies the laws of logistics how much use I can get out Fooeys but I am not complaining, I love them and pick them up whenever I can find them. Bic permanents are long lasting as well ---nowhere near Fooeys but next best for longevity. For metallic or "foils" I use sharpie or rose art even though their shelf life is very short. Gel and pigment markers I use uni-ball, zig or a brand known as R2 (like a "cross" between G2's & RT's lol) that you can pick up at the $ store of all places and are comparable to the $4 on up high end pens. Why the hell am I talking about my pens? Well, I thought you knew. I've got an office supply fetish, lol. Works out well that I love to "scribble" eh? :)

Watercolor markers favorites for me are Fooey & Crayola, chisel tips and double ended and some retractable rose art's (I think), one of the few rose art products I like. Also a bunch of "no name" fine tips etc. I've been know to permanently borrow a dry erase pen or highlighter etc if the "draw is sweet". Also sometimes known as the "fit"or the "feel" is good. If the fit, feel or draw is good then whatever you are doing; be it writing, drawing etc. just flows and your project just practically jumps out of the end of the marker/pen/pencil etc.

Paint pens are only one brand: Elmer's and yes,it's the same company that makes all the different kinds of glue: wood glue, school glue, white glue, glue with glitter etc. I usually buy both fine and medium. These are long lasting acrylic paint pens, I've had some last almost 5 years (OK, colors I rarely use like yellow & pink, lol). If you take care of them and the tips don't dry out they can last. The type and colors I use most I buy a new set once a year. I had someone show me you can "refill" them with bulk acrylic paints. It's really easy (but has the potential to be majorly messy) but if you use your gloves like your supposed to (lol) clean up is minimal. I have been know to do this when I'm burning through a project and don't want to break off to go to town to buy supplies but unless you're using these heavy every day I recommend splurging every few months. Buy the packs if you can, it's more affordable and you'll find a use for those other colors, guaranteed :)
That said, I tend to avoid the opalescent / pearlescent ones as their actual colors are never what I expect and I'm usually always disappointed with the end results. It turns out too "pale" for what I want, I usually want my stuff to be bright, but if you are doing something with pastels the "pearlies" will probably work out very  well.

OK, I've exhausted myself talking about pens and I haven't even't made it to the fountain and calligraphy pens, lol. Ahem, maybe another time, another post. Happy scribbling...